FDA-approved bird flu vax seen boosting poultry output
The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of a bird flu vaccine for commercial use will beef up the country’s defenses against the animal disease, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
“With the FDA’s approval of Volvac BEST AI plus ND, the poultry sector now has a strong line of defense against a virus that threatens both food security and human health,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday.
The FDA authorized the commercial use of Volvac BEST AI plus ND developed by Germany-based pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.
“The vaccine not only provides immunity against the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 but also stimulates the bird’s immune system to defend against Velogenic Newcastle disease,” the DA said.
Volvac BEST AI plus ND is administered by injection, either into the bird’s chest muscle or into subcutaneous fat. The newly approved vaccine by the FDA is given when the bird is at least 10 days old.
As with most first-time vaccinations, it takes 10 to 14 days for full immunity to develop, according to the DA.
The HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease affecting both domestic and wild birds.
“Avian influenza is also a major concern for public health,” the World Organisation for Animal Health said. It noted the virus’ devastating consequences for the poultry industry, farmers’ livelihoods, global trade and health of wild birds.
The agency explained that H5N1 is the most aggressive subtype, causing high mortality rates in chickens. It is also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans and other animals.
On the other hand, Velogenic Newcastle disease is the most severe form of Newcastle disease. This highly contagious and often severe disease affects a wide range of bird species, especially domestic poultry.
